New mac user, what should I do to keep MacBook secure?

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams

Hi everyone,

I'm due to get my nice shiny MacBook soon and was wondering what I should do to keep it nice and zippy and not pass viral crap on to my pc friends?

I'm brand new to Macs, my previous leptop was grinding to halt with Windows XP and the various bits of malware that got on it. Have tried Ubuntu which was better, but am determined to treat my Mac with abit more care than I did my old laptop.

I notice Apple don't seem to talk mich about the need for additional protection but I just wanna be on the safe side, so any suggestions for what I should do to keep my Mac running smoothly would be much appreciated.

Thanks

DDFD

BikerEd

You'd be a fool to assume the Mac is virus-free, it isn't. However I have yet to come across one, or any other sort of malware, in the wild. So most of using the Mac is about common sense in what sites you visit and what software you install. There is a lot of quality Mac freeware around (just search this site for recommendations) and if you get software listed at (and recommended by users of) known sites e.g. Macupdate, Opensourcemac, freesmug etc then you shouldn't have a problem.

isofa

If you don't visit dodgy websites, don't download pirated software (in which a few trojans have been proven), then you are very safe indeed.

ClamXav is the best free Mac AntiVirus, but it's scanning for PC viruses to prevent you unwittingly accepting PC docs onto your Mac which are infected, then passing them on.

Still, at this point in time, unless you are swapping files from PC sources on a regular basis, there is little need for a virus checker.

PS you might get some more helpful advice at the MacUser forum, as this thread, along with every other one mentioning Macs will no doubt going to disintegrated into a Mac vs PC discussion at some point.

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams

Thanks isofa and biker ed,

Will certainly checkout the macuser forum. OH's on pc and we do tend to download alot so probably best that I have an anti-virus programme.

Thanks again

cyberbob

Downloadings not a problem as long as its a known source.

diable

Use the PC for downloading so if it goes up !!!!!! creek at least your Mac will be ok.

isofa

What exactly will people be downloading to make a Mac or a PC have such a problem?!

PC run a good free anti-virus like AntiVir and decent any spyware, avoid dodgy stuff - no problem.

Mac not problem either, providing you stick to respected sites, you don't even need to worry to much about protection...

If you download illegal things from dodgy sites, then is it any wonder you'll end up with infected files on a PC or a Mac.

geordie458

From what i have gleaned reading the posts from "MAC" users on these forums i wouldnt bother with any anti-virus, malware , spyware protection at all, God will protect you!!! Enjoy.

Marty_J

geordie458 wrote: »

From what i have gleaned reading the posts from MAC users on these forums i wouldnt bother with any anti-virus, malware , spyware protection at all, God will protect you!!! Enjoy.

It's a pity you didn't read any of the other posts in this thread.

To the OP, keeping an eye on SecureMac can be a good idea, as it'll keep you in the know about any security problems.

mr_fishbulb

BikerEd wrote: »

You'd be a fool to assume the Mac is virus-free, it isn't. However I have yet to come across one, or any other sort of malware, in the wild.

Have a look at the (quite amusing) the video

http://www.sophos.com/blogs/sophoslabs//?p=4811

Marty_J

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Have a look at the (quite amusing) the video

http://www.sophos.com/blogs/sophoslabs//?p=4811

I think for now, I'll just stick to not downloading software from porno websites.